Anne Catherine Ward and John Ward
ca. 1840
Medium
Watercolor on ivory
Dimensions
3 1/8 x 2 5/8 in. (7.9 x 6.8 cm)
Classification
Painting, miniature
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Gloria Manney, 2006
Accession Number
2006.235.77
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the intimate world of 19th-century portrait mini, Anne Hall's *Anne Catherine Ward and John Ward (ca. 1840) captures the tender bond between two young American siblings. Rendered in delicate watercolor on ivory—a prized medium for its luminous translucency and ability to mimic the glow of flesh—this tiny gem measures just 3 1/8 x 2 5/8 inches, perfect for wearing as a locket or displaying in a private collection. Hall, a leadingist of her time, excelled at evoking personality through fine brushwork, rendering the children's expressive faces and period attire with remarkable precision. Thes...